Shah Ready to Convene Special Session on SIR, Accuses Rahul of Backing Maoists’ ‘Janatana Sarkar’

RAIPUR, Nov 3: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said the government was ready to convene a special session of Parliament to discuss the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, challenging the Opposition to participate in a debate on the issue.

Addressing the concluding ceremony of the three day Chhattisgarh Rajyotsav celebrations in Raipur, Shah accused the Congress of supporting Naxalism and alleged that Rahul Gandhi had backed the Maoists’ unconstitutional ‘Janatana Sarkar’ and recently staged a “fake Parliament”.

“Let Parliament function. We are ready to convene a special session to hold discussions on SIR. If you have the courage, come and engage in a discussion before the people of this country,” Shah said.

He asserted that carrying a copy of the Constitution did not necessarily mean supporting it, adding that one’s actions must be in accordance with constitutional principles.

The Home Minister alleged that Congress leaders had consistently supported Naxalism and referred to a statement purportedly made by former Union Home Minister P Chidambaram in 2010, suggesting that Maoists could retain their weapons if they stopped violence.

Targeting Rahul Gandhi, Shah claimed that Congress leaders had supported the Maoists’ parallel ‘Janatana Sarkar’, which operated without constitutional authority and had its own ministers.

He also criticised Rahul Gandhi for conducting a mock Parliament, describing it as an attempt to ridicule the institution. Shah said the Narendra Modi government was prepared to discuss every issue in Parliament.

Shah said the BJP government in Chhattisgarh, under former chief minister Raman Singh, had undertaken development work during its 15-year tenure. However, he alleged that the Congress-led government at the Centre had lacked the political will to eliminate Naxalism, leaving development in tribal areas incomplete.

After the BJP returned to power in Chhattisgarh in 2023, the state government resolved to eliminate Naxalism within two months, he said.

Shah said the government had offered Maoists willing to surrender an opportunity to join the mainstream, while those refusing to give up arms would face action by security forces.

He claimed that 90 per cent of Maoists had surrendered and 10 per cent had been killed, asserting that the country had now become free from Naxalism.

Recalling the situation in Maoist-affected areas, Shah said regions known for their cultural heritage, forests, mahua, tendu leaves and folk traditions had instead become part of the Red Corridor.

He alleged that explosives were planted in forests, schools were destroyed and children were abducted and handed weapons. People engaged in road construction were also killed, he said.

Questioning those who raised human rights concerns in support of Naxalism, Shah asked whether the rights of poor tribal communities were being ignored while attention was focused on armed Maoists obstructing development.

He said the government had provided artificial limbs to people who had lost them in violence over the past three decades to help them lead better lives.

Inviting critics to visit Bastar, Shah said they could now witness the development taking place in the region without fear. He urged those concerned about the suffering of local communities to highlight their experiences.

Shah congratulated the people of Chhattisgarh, particularly the tribal community, on the state’s progress towards becoming free from Naxalism. He also acknowledged the contribution of the Central Armed Police Forces and Chhattisgarh Police.

The Home Minister said Chhattisgarh had the potential to become one of the country’s leading tourism destinations.

Referring to the state’s mineral wealth, he said Chhattisgarh would achieve prosperity for both its land and its people within the next 10 years, describing it as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guarantee.

He said the BJP’s successive terms in the state would help transform Chhattisgarh from fear to trust and from resource wealth to prosperity.

Earlier in the day, Shah inaugurated the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Park, also known as Peepal Van, in Nava Raipur. The park has more than 2,500 peepal trees and over 500 plants of indigenous species spread across approximately 16 acres.

Shah said the state’s Finance Minister had been given the responsibility of ensuring that five lakh peepal trees were planted in Nava Raipur. He said the city could become the world’s largest environmentally friendly city once it developed into a Peepal City.

On the occasion, Shah released the 33rd instalment of the Mahtari Vandan Yojana, transferring more than Rs 632 crore to the bank accounts of eligible women beneficiaries.

Earlier, he also inaugurated the Artemis Shanti Hospital in Raipur, according to an official statement.